Official Website
www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/darksuit
Broadcast
Saturdays, 9.00 – 9.54 p.m. from 22 November 2014
Station
NHK
Story
Ichinose Ryo works as a salesperson for Hashiba Sales Service, a subsidiary of the mid-sized electronics manufacturer, Hashiba Electronics, which prides itself on its long history. One day, he is ordered to transfer to the company’s headquarters. Why him when he has no strong points? Hashiba Electronics designs products which its subsidiary is responsible for manufacturing. The group’s share of the market is now being lost to emerging foreign companies and it is in financial difficulty. The new company president, Matsumoto Kiyoomi, who has come from America, has his eye on Ichinose’s perseverance as a salesperson and intends to make a five-member team contemplate strategies to improve the management of the group. Ordered to submit a proposal, Ichinose and the members head to Vietnam in search of ideas for cost-cutting measures. He finds out about a new business plan, a license business in Vietnam. However, that is when he learns of the ongoing bribery behind the contract work between headquarters and subsidiary as a result of the license business. Ichinose’s former boss, Taki Shinsuke, is aware of this bribery, and had promised to keep quiet about it in exchange for a director’s position at Hashiba Electronics. Determined to push through reforms in order to correct company’s way of doing things and fulfil his own and the other members’ dreams, Ichinose gets close to but a series of big hurdles stand in his way.
Characters
Saito Takumi as Ichinose Ryo
A salesman who works for Hashiba Sales Service, the subsidiary of Hashiba Electronics. Although he does not exactly have a high standing within the company, the new company president, Matsumoto Kiyoomi, appreciates his distinctive perseverance and perspective, and he ends up being transferred to the headquarters. He works out the idea of a license business and is consequently brought face-to-face with the group’s great mystery. He decides to take on illegality in the company.
Mitsushima Shinnosuke as Banba Tomihiko
A young engineer involved in design at Hashiba Electronics’ Product Development Department. The company gives him a sense of stagnation, but he has the dream of licensing to emerging countries and attempts to change Hashiba with Ichinose Ryo. Although he is not used to Hashiba’s multi-functional, high quality, high value mainstream products, he displays potential in his product design sense for the newly emerging markets.
Kurashina Kana as Ichinose Misako
Ichinose Ryo’s wife. She suffers from an incurable illness and has been hospitalised. While she loves her husband and is concerned for him, she is also brave in confronting her own illness. She has absolutely no knowledge of the secret plan which Ichinose is advancing, but soon gets involved in it in an unexpected … …
Ichikawa Yui as Takanezawa Shiori
One of the five members given the mission to reform Hashiba Electronics by Matsumoto Kiyoomi. She is a high performer and has strong desire for females to get to the top in the conservative, class-conscious company.
Ishimaru Kanji as Matsumoto Kiyoomi
The new president of Hashiba Electronics. He has built a magnificent career as a professional management executive in America. Asked by an American financier with connections to Hashiba Electronic’s main bank to reform the company, he responds, “Only a segment of the users in developed countries like Hashiba’s durable, high-performance products now. The founding family throws its weight around and will not go public. I have no interest in a Hashiba that is trying to maintain status quo.” However, when presented with the position as the next president of a leading Amercian company, he decides to take it on. What awaits him when he returns to Japan is … …
Osugi Ren as Ioka Tetsuro
Hashiba Electronics’ senior managing director. A central figure among the company’s board of directors. He brags about being a leading force in Japan’s manufacturing industry and conceals what he thinks about some past as he plays a leading role in the board with the determination to devote his life to Hashiba Electronics.
Ryu Raita as Misono Ryunosuke
The chairman of Hashiba Electronics. The emperor who reigns over the group. He has sold off his shares and is in an honorary post now, his presence is still important to Hashiba Electronics. While his reunion with Matsumoto Kiyoomi is a twist of fate, he continues to be the traditional symbol of Hashiba’s craftsmanship.
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Tagged: Dark Suit
